mens
international
Next year Rugby World Cup in Australia has lured some of the top NRL talent across the major code divide, and All black people star Jordie Barrett expects the new recruits to be “outstanding” in the 15-man squad.
Only one of the recent signings, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, is involved in the Bledisloe Cup series which concludes in Sydney this weekend, but his former team-mate is not far behind.
After helping the Roosters win the NRL title last week, Angus Crichton has now turned his attention to 2027. Super Rugby Pacific season as he prepares to join Waratahs in pursuit of a Wallabies call-up. Word on the street is that he’s eyeing the No. 12 jersey, putting him in Barrett’s sights ahead of a Round 4 matchup with Hurricanes in Sydney next year.
“I’m sure he’s going to be outstanding,” Barrett told reporters when asked about his expectations for Crichton’s transition.
“Big, athletic, great skill set, and correct me if I’m wrong, but he played a lot of rugby through high school and then he came into the league. So, look, all the guys that have made the transition have been outstanding. Joseph is improving every week.”
The Super Rugby arrival of Zac Lomax has led to some great moments for the Western Force, with another title winner, Mark Nawaqanitawase, returning to union ahead of the World Cup after signing from Saitama Wild Knights in Japan Rugby League One.
The 11-cap Wallaby also qualified Italy and Fiji, who have served their three-year international hiatus, and are yet to address their Test future. He, however, excluded himself from the Nations Championship while focusing on the upcoming club season in Japan.
Barrett said: “Mark has already made a big mark in the Wallabies jersey, and he will no doubt be back.”
The focus on the upcoming League One season has also seen the 26-year-old rule himself out of the Kangaroos’ bid for the Rugby World Cup, which starts this week when Australia host New Zealand in Sydney.
Barrett said the All Blacks planned to link up with some Kiwis players ahead of Thursday’s first game, including a visit on Tuesday from the former All Blacks Sevens player who has quickly made his mark at the Melbourne Rebels. The Wallabies have already caught up with their league counterparts this week, and they’re not the only ones facing the Kangaroos.
“We have Kangaroos in our hotel, so that was interesting,” Barrett grinned.
“But Moses Leo is here, and there’s going to be a couple of lads we catch up with from the Kiwi side this afternoon and tomorrow. It’s great. We’re going to take a lot of inspiration from the two big nations in rugby league battling it out, and we’re going to do the same 48 hours later.”